Constitution

Click here to download the Constitution of the Berowra Bushrunners.

BEROWRA BUSHRUNNERS CONSTITUTION 

Adopted 1990 

Amended 1994 

Amended 1995 

Amended1997 

Amended 2011 

Amended 2013 

Amended 2021 

1. NAME 

The name of the club is the Berowra Bushrunners, hereinafter called “The Berowra Bushrunners.” 

2. AIMS 

1. To promote fitness through running and walking in Berowra and surrounding district. 

2. To provide an awareness of the value of physical fitness throughout the local community. 

3. To provide an opportunity for members of The Berowra Bushrunners to meet and run/walk together as a group. 

4. To provide an opportunity for members of The Berowra Bushrunners to improve their fitness through participation in handicap runs and to compete as a team in applicable fun runs. 

5. Visitors and prospective members are welcome to participate in the gazetted runs, however, after six weeks, they would be expected to become members of The Berowra Bushrunners. 

6. New members are welcome to participate in the gazetted runs, however, after six weeks, they would be expected to join The Berowra Bushrunners as full financial members. 

3. MEMBERSHIP 

1. Membership is open to ALL, this includes juniors.  

1. A junior is a person who has not reached the age of 18.  

2. A member is a person who has paid their prescribed annual fee for the appropriate calendar year. 

3. The committee has the right to reject any application for membership and to dismiss any member for activities prejudicial to The Berowra Bushrunners. 

4. Members are entitled to: 

1. Attend general and annual general meetings. 

2. Vote on any motions or resolutions. 

3. Elect office bearers. 

4. Take part in discussions and assist with the effective operation of The Berowra Bushrunners. 

5. Compete in the monthly handicap and receive attendance points. 

6. Participate in all club social occasions. 

7. Junior members may not vote on any motions or resolutions, elect office bearers, or be elected to the committee. 

5. Members of The Berowra Bushrunners can apply to the committee for Life Membership. To be eligible for Life Membership members must have accumulated 20 points based on years served on the committee and/or years of membership, whereby: 

1. 1 point is earned for every year served on the committee 

2. 1 point is earned for every year of non Junior               

3. membership. 

4. The committee will review all applications and may award Life Membership. 

4. MEETINGS 

1. The Annual General Meeting(AGM) is to be held at the beginning of each membership year. 

2. Eight (8) members of the club shall constitute a quorum at the Annual General Meeting and general meetings. 

3. If a quorum is not reached within 30 minutes of the designated time the meeting shall be abandoned.  A new meeting will be called within 21 days. If the meeting is the Annual General Meeting the present committee will remain in office until a new meeting is held and elections are conducted. 

4. The agenda of the Annual General Meeting shall include among others the following matters: 

1. President’s report. 

2. Treasurer’s report including a statement of income and expenditure of all The Berowra Bushrunners club finances for the previous year. 

3. Election of the new committee. 

4. Setting of fees for the coming year. 

5. General Business. 

5. General meetings will be called when one is requested by a majority of the committee or by more than eight (8) ordinary members.  An agenda will be set by the committee with provision for general business. 

6. Fourteen (14) days notice will be given for the date and venue of general meetings and the Annual General Meeting. 

5. THE COMMITTEE 

1. The committee shall comprise of five (5) or more members to conduct the affairs of The Berowra Bushrunners. 

2. The committee shall have the following positions: 

1. President 

2. Treasurer 

3. General committee members 

4. Handicapper 

3. The positions are elected by ordinary members at the Annual General Meeting. These positions can only be held by non-junior members. 

4. Elections for all committee positions are to be conducted annually at the Annual General Meeting. 

5. A minimum of three (3) members of the committee will constitute a quorum. 

6. The committee shall meet when called by the President or other elected committee members. Their purpose will be to plan gazetted runs, social activities, and discuss and make recommendations for the well-being of The Berowra Bushrunners. 

7. In the absence of the President any committee member may act as the President for that meeting. 

8. If any committee member is absent for three (3) consecutive meetings without a valid reason, then his/her office will be declared vacant. 

9. If a vacancy occurs in the committee, the remaining committee may co-opt an ordinary member until the Annual General Meeting. 

10. The committee may co-opt members for specific project roles as required. 

6. INSURANCE AND LITIGATION 

The Berowra Bushrunners will maintain an appropriate level of public liability insurance.  

7. FINANCE 

1. The Treasurer manages the  finances of The Berowra Bushrunners on behalf of the members. 

2. A bank account shall be operated with the Treasurer and one other committee member being signatories.  

3. Membership fees will be as set at the Annual General Meeting. 

4. The financial year of The Berowra Bushrunners shall commence 1st February and conclude on 3lst January. 

5. Fund-raising will be administered by the committee and carried out where the committee deems appropriate. 

8. CODE OF RUNNING BEHAVIOUR 

1. Most organised runs encompass well marked bush trails around Berowra.  However, some of the courses or parts of the courses entail running along streets and roads. 

2. When running along streets or roads runners should use footpaths where provided. 

3. Where footpaths are not provided the following normal rules of the road pertaining to pedestrians apply: 

4. Runners should run single file where appropriate. 

5. Roads should be crossed at marked pedestrian crossings or at intersections or elsewhere with due precaution. 

6. Runners should run on the right-hand side of the road facing oncoming traffic. 

7. Adult members should assist junior members, visitors, or new members on runs. This would be particularly applicable on new or not well-known routes. Usually, an adult member is asked to run with the above mentioned by the President or a committee member before the run commences. 

8. Visitors and new members should be made to feel welcome by all members. The very nature of running leads to members dropping off during different seasons, suffering injuries, and even giving up running. Therefore, The Berowra Bushrunners needs new members to keep the club continuing with a viable membership.  

9. Runners should wear appropriate easily identifiable clothing. 

10. Runners should abide by Local, State and Federal Government laws. 

9. COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICATION 

1. Informal meetings for communication are held at the commencement of or after many runs. 

2. A list of coming events is published and circulated to all members. When this entails attending Fun Runs or social occasions extra applicable details are provided. 

3. The program of events may be altered on the morning. A run change can be made by agreement of a majority of runners present. Final approval and right of veto rests with the most senior committee member.